Part 6/13:
Sang criticizes such weaponry as overengineered and dangerous, comparing it to frantic technological experiments from the 1950s, like the US’s Davy Crockett nuclear launcher—a handheld nuclear device. He questions the strategic utility of nuclear-powered missiles that remain airborne for so long and warns about the risks of accidents or spoilage of nuclear materials over populated areas.
When discussing hypersonic missiles—capable of traveling at speeds Mach 5 or higher—Sang points out their strategic value rooted in the principle of speed. The ability to hit targets faster than adversaries can react is a coveted advantage, although he notes the significant technical challenges and high costs involved in developing affordable hypersonics.